Book Review: MARY: The Summoning by Hillary Monahan

There is a right way and a wrong way to summon her.
Jess had done the research. Success requires precision: a dark room, a mirror, a candle, salt, and four teenage girls. Each of them--Jess, Shauna, Kitty, and Anna--must link hands, follow the rules . . . and never let go.
A thrilling fear spins around the room the first time Jess calls her name: "Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. BLOODY MARY." A ripple of terror follows when a shadowy silhouette emerges through the fog, a specter trapped behind the mirror.
Once is not enough, though--at least not for Jess. Mary is called again. And again. But when their summoning circle is broken, Bloody Mary slips through the glass with a taste for revenge on her lips. As the girls struggle to escape Mary's wrath, loyalties are questioned, friendships are torn apart, and lives are forever altered.
A haunting trail of clues leads Shauna on a desperate search to uncover the legacy of Mary Worth. What she finds will change everything, but will it be enough to stop Mary--and Jess--before it's too late?

Can I just say that I absolutely loved this book! Mary: The Summoning and I got acquainted by complete accident. I wasn't really planning on going to the BEA Blogger Conference since I got in a lot later than I originally planned. I’m so glad everything worked out because I got to snagged this amazing book.

This is what happens when all four girls found themselves in a small bathroom, holding hands, chanting bloody Mary. It all started as a game. These things weren't real Shauna thought, but low and behold when they looked in the mirror a fog seemed to emerge and there she was… Bloody Mary. Jess’ reminder still fresh in her mind, don’t break the link. But what happens when something unexpected happens? Will they survive this or will secrets come to light that will destroy every?

I've always had a fascination with Bloody Mary you can blame that on my elementary school. We had a bathroom on the second floor that had no windows and three mirrors. The lights from the room could be shut off from the outside. (Yes, I still remember all of these details. I might have been a tad bit obsessed. Sue me.) Well you know how cruel kids can be I swear I think we were worse back then when it comes to pranks. They would throw some poor girl in there, hold the door, turn off the lights and not let her out until she started chanting Bloody Mary. I’m telling you kids are bad.

I finished this book in merrier hours, that’s how captivated I was. I could not turn the pages fast enough to figure out what was going to happen. You are constantly on your toes and feel like your heart is going to rip out because it’s beating so fast. Monahan writing is truly exquisite! She manages to suck you in and freak out all at the same time. I highly recommend picking up Mary: The Summoning if you’re looking for something that will scare you with a twist.

What about you guys, any childhood secrets that had you chanting Bloody Mary? Did you try it at school or baby at a sleepover? Let’s talk! :)